Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologiesfor absencewerereceived from Mrs C Moore and CountyCouncillor B Baynham.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 12 June 2024 as a correct record.

The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2024 as a correct record.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.

No declarations were received.

To receive the report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer.

The Committee received the report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer (copy filed with signed minutes).

A.       General Standards Issues for County Councillors and Co-opted

Members

The Committee noted that all councillors and co-opted members had completed the refresher mandatory Code of Conduct training.

B.       MembersAttendance

The Committee notedthe information provided by the one member,whose attendance level was less than60% for the period 18 May 2023 to 15 May 2024.  The Committee thanked the member for the information which they considered to be a reasonable explanation and which they accepted.

C.            Referral of Councillors to the Public Services Ombudsman

The abbreviations used in the headings areas follows:

MO –Monitoring Officer

OW – OmbudsmanWales

Stds –Standards Committee

APW -AdjudicationPanel forWales

The Committee noted the decision of Ceredigion Ethics & Standards Committee on 23 August 2024 to censure County Councillor I McIntosh. 

As a result of discussions at the last meeting it was agreed that the Chair should write to the Ombudsman regarding the time taken for complaints to be investigated.  The Committee noted the Chair’s letter and the response from the Ombudsman.  The Ombudsman advised it aims to complete investigations within 12 months and during 2023/24 increased staffing number to address this and the increasing caseload.  The Chair and Ombudsman were thanked for their letters.  It was noted that one complaint is still outstanding from 2022 and the increased staffing levels will take some time to have an impact on investigations completed.

Comment was made that members who are the subject of a complaint need support as the time it takes to complete an investigation takes a toll on the individual as they are advised by the Ombudsman that the complaint should be kept confidential. The Ombudsman should provide support to members.  The mental wellbeing of councillors should be supported.  The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that the Ombudsman acknowledges the need to support members and it was an issue he could raise with other Monitoring Officers.  The Committee agreed that he should raise the issue at the Wales Monitoring Officers’ Group meeting in December, where the Ombudsman’s office is represented. 

D.            Dispensations Applications - CountyCouncillors

No applications for dispensation have been received from County Councillors.

E.             Ombudsman Wales – Our Findings

The Committee noted the Ombudsman Wales - Our Findings

F.       Adjudication Panel for Wales [APW]

Details of cases considered by the APW are available via the following link: Decisions | The Adjudication Panel for Wales (gov.wales)

G.      National Forum for Standards Committees

The Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the observation report in respect of the Full Council meeting held on 11 July 2024 and to agree any actions resulting from the report.

The Committee received the observation report of the Council meeting held on 11 July 2024.   Mr Goolden thanked Mrs Moore for taking his place as observer at this meeting. 

In response to a question the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that the Chair of Council receives the general training provided for other committee chairs.  In respect of access to translation for the public attending the meeting in County Hall, he stated that this facility was not available.  He advised however, they could access the meeting on their phones but would need to use earphones so that there was no feedback in the Chamber. In response to a comment about members using their mobile phones in meetings and the public perception that they were not engaged in the meeting the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that some members access agendas on their mobile phones and so it was difficult to restrict their use.  He advised that it was not in the remit of the Committee to prevent use but the use of phones should be moderated.